Yuki Tsunoda has admitted he’s excited to experience Las Vegas casinos for the first time – but stressed he’s waiting until the Grand Prix weekend is over with AlphaTauri within reach of Williams for seventh in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship.
Tusnoda‘s five-point haul last time out at Interlagos came a week after Daniel Ricciardo‘s sublime seventh in the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix, meaning AlphaTauri have catapulted off the bottom of the standings into eighth, seven points behind Williams.
That’s not Tsunoda‘s only concern though – the baby-faced 23-year-old hopes he won’t have to show ID when he does hit the tables – gambling is banned in Las Vegas for under-21s.
“At the hotel there’s a casino,” Tsunoda told the press. “I’ve checked in but I’m sure they know that I’m part of the hotel, I want to go see a bigger one at some point. Hopefully I don’t have to show my passport but I assume I have to!
“But yeah, lots of nice things, and I’ve never seen it in my life [before]. So yeah, it’s cool, I’ll save it until after the race. It’s a good thing that they’ll finish on the Saturday and Sunday we have time for fun. We know that we’re going to a have fun time there.”
Tsunoda optimistic in Williams fight
Tsunoda added he believes AlphaTauri can still catch Williams – they would overhaul them if they continue on their trajectory of the last three races but he and Ricciardo had only managed three point-scoring finishes before the start of F1‘s Americas leg.
Tsunoda even said that the result would set the mood for his casino trip the next day – the most truly authentic Sin City experience.
“It will depend on the result but have to beat the guys, especially Alex and Williams,” Tsunoda added. “Seven points sounds really small but in two races is not really actually small.
“And we’re expecting Williams are going to pick up the pace quite a lot – hopefully not in this week. We also have to put it all together again like we’ve done the last three races. It’s a good rhythm, I think the car’s getting better and better so looking forward to it.”
